Do up your home in spring-summer colours

Take a look around your apartment. Is it ready for a decor revamp? Spring is right around the corner, and this is the perfect opportunity to freshen up your space and give it an updated look. Painting isn't always an option for apartment dwellers, but that doesn't mean you can't add pops of colour throughout your space.
Here's how:

Colour of the year
Pantone, an industry leader who sets the tone for home decor, announced its colour of the year for 2013: Emerald. According to Pantone's website, "emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today's complex world." To add colour to your walls without painting, frame emerald-inspired paintings in a set of three or cover a large canvas with an emerald-coloured fabric. You can also incorporate the colour with accent pieces, such as throw pillows, blankets, vases or picture frames.

Pastel chic
Spring-Summer 2013 is a tribute to soft pastels and muted hues in your home. Instead of being blown away by the hot and spicy colours, this year focuses on sand and desert colours like dust beige, mud brown, pearl gray and soft green. When the sun is out and the sky is blue, frolic with a blend of ethno chic pinks, lilacs and corals that flirt with ethnic gold shimmer. Add accents with sparkling reds, shimmering bronze, bejeweled pinks and a hint of festive gold.

Mix n match
This year, use your sofa as the canvas in which to show off your penchant for colour. The focus will go beyond the colour of the sofa itself. Rather, it will highlight the mix of patterns and colours used on toss cushions that adorn the sofa. The fundamental formula will be a must-have combination of flame stitch, floral, geometric patterns, stripes and solids, where the density of colours will be the element that brings the entire look together.

Layer it
Fabrics with special treatment to create dimensional textures or layering effects, or which were subjected to washing or special dyeing processes that give an untouchable look, keep inspiring us in our soft furnishings. Unassuming, clean and simple and — particularly — playful interiors still stay classic. Nuanced colours with subtle undertones enhance the ever-present neutrals and allow for clever and extraordinary colour combinations. And while emerald green has been chosen by Pantone as their colour for 2013 various shades of yellow will reign supreme in Indian homes this spring and summer.

Metal mania
Metallics are making a comeback this year. Brass is back, and it is easy to incorporate into your space — not to mention it is affordable. Change out your plain lamp base for one with a brass finish, and consider changing your knobs and cabinet pulls to brass. Golds are also in style this year and can be added to your decor through a starburst mirror, accent pieces or a mirror. And don't forget about chrome and silver, they're around to stay.